SJ.com Outing, er, GetTogether, Toronto, July 14-16

That was a cool little service... thanks for putting your cell phone number out there for the world, HC! ;D

 

It was nice to feel like you guys were sharing in the event.

 

Indeed. And don't worry, we won't call you at 3 a.m. ... not too often, anyway.

 

That's why you got the cell phone number. I can turn it off.

 

OK, the one questiion I have is: How many people ended up coming?

 

We were probably almost two dozen strong at some points.

This is the last post from anyone still in Toronto. Spnited just left town after hend I were the only ones left at the game today. We're sitting there, watching Burnett and Hernandez pitch in a great duel, and all of a sudden in the sixth inning, I look down the row and did the biggest doubletake. Jimbo, hockey stick cane and all, came stumbling down to the seat. He didn't bring his brother like he said at Betty's he was going to, but he sure is a true Jays fan. He told stories over his "Bud-weeser" and everytime a ball was fouled off, no matter if it was at the plate or made it to anywhere in the stands, he would pull out his baseball glove and shout "I got it!" He only stayed for two innings before he had to go get some more booze, but he did give me his King St. address. Jimbo had Spnited take a picture of me and him, and since (until last night) he had "never touched a computer," he wants me to print it out and mail it to him. He even paid me for postage. It was the perfect end to the outing: the oldest member and the youngest member watching the last game of the series with our new honorary Canuck.

Sorry for the posts last night. They have disappeared. Thanks JR and HC for being wonderful hosts. The structued evenings allowed for a very enjoyable outing and no dull moments. Thanks to our "secret guest" and several others for some great conversation.

I'm off to the bus station.

 

Full house last night. Everyone showed up. The Canucks included HC, Huggy, Maple Sugar, Double J, the mystery Canuck who cannot be named for reasons of national security and yours truly.

I'd also like to add that this was a group whose ages ranged from 19 to mid 50's, from all different backgrounds, all different geographical areas and everyone hit it off right away.

I'd also like to add that the waitress at Betty's was unbelievably friendly and accomodating.

Oh, and in addition to Spinited and me, Orange Hat Bobcat's dad made up the senior guys trio. He was extremely cool and  a really nice guy.

I can't imagine what he thought when he was thrown into this group.

"Let's see, my son is going to Toronto to meet a group of sports journalists whom he's never met. Maybe I'll tag along"

Oh, I'd just like to add, southern accents are very cool.

 

I know why they call it the QEW.
It means "Quite Enough Waiting."
Traffic backed up in Oakville, Hamilton, St. Catherine's and after I left that road, a decent 30 minute wait to cross the border.


So, after reading 10 pages over the last 10 minutes, it's cool to see what I missed (even though I was there).
First, to JR and HC, thank you for one of the best weekends I have ever had. You did an extraordinary job getting this sucker off the ground.
You are quality people and a credit to the Great White North. HC, awesome pipes!
And I will return (again).
So many people to mention, I don't want to leave anyone out.
Huggy and Double J, it was a lot of fun watching the Jays sitting between you, then making the trek to Betty's Appreciate you waiting on my unsatisfied quest for a souvenir.
Trivial Pursuit is my favorite game.
And $50 (C) for a mini Stanley Cup? No way.
Spnited (I think I got that right), it was truly an honor and a pleasure to drink and hang with you.
OHB (Let's go Orange), like I told you, you're going to do well in the biz and your father is a class individual and a great role model.
It was an honour (oops, can't spell American anymore) to share a drink.
Craddlerobber, kid, you got spunk. I don't think I would have gone to the extreme you did to make it to Toronto.
I'd stay out of the real estate biz for a while.
IJAG and SSW, ladies, you rocked, a lot of fun to be with.
SM51, anyone who can wear a hockey jersey in 95 (oops 32) degree heat with 100 % humdidity is a real fan, glad you got to see the Cup.
Paper Doll, you and the Boy were nice and I hope you enjoyed the weekend.
Dooley, it was nice going on the Rogers Center Death March with you. No elevator?
Pete, you are a funny dude, LMAO funny. I'm glad you found an open Tim's at 3 a.m.
Who else do I need to mention?
Ragu, good chattin' with you, I can hardly wait to see if the Cup makes the sig.
Hmm, Maple Sugar was sweeter than her name. The woman can walk a mile in heels, which is a talent any of us can appreciate.
FJ and Dr J, I never heard one moan. What the Hell is wrong with you people? Guess the honeymoon is over, then again, you were going to Niagara Falls.
I apologize for leaving anyone else out, and if I can jog my Tim Horton's coffee fueled, barely 10 hours of sleep in 2 nights brain, I will add.
Honestly, I enjoyed my time spent with each and everyone one of you. The weekend was literally the board come to life, we started threads, jacked them, even closed one, then reopened it.
Thanks to all for a memorable weekend and to all who couldn't make it, you have no idea of how much fun you missed.

 

Sorry about the traffic on the QEW. I think you can safely blame Bush for that.

Did you manage to smuggle any Timbits across the border?

 

Patchs, I don't think any of us could have pounded out a more accurate roundup of the weekend. Between the games and the Hockey Hall of Fame (which will now be referred to simply as The Temple), all the conversations and stories and bars and, oh yes, the beers ... and beers ... and beers ... this will be one weekend not soon forgotten.

Many thanks to JR and HC for putting everything together, and to Huggy, Maple Sugar, Double J and Jones for allowing us to invade their fine nation. Canadians really are as nice and courteous as advertised (except for that 6-year-old punk who punched me in the stomach while I was walking around the concourse at Rogers Centre the Skydome. I'm sure he was really an American).

For the record, I think OHB Sr. might have enjoyed the weekend even more than I did. During the ride home, he turned to me and said, "So, you really didn't mind me tagging along?" Not at all, Padre.

I know the crowd will be far different next year, but I will do everything in my power to make it to Dallas 2007. After the fun of the last three days, we would all be fools to miss it.

 

Thanks, man, it's appreciated. The lack of sleep and 5 hours of driving are catching up me.
BTW, can't forget Jones. His work is staring me in the face but it's going to have to wait until Monday since I want to be cognizant when I read it.